KA Sengottaiyan Joins Actor Vijay's TVK Party in Major Tamil Nadu Political Shift

Chennai:

Expelled AIADMK veteran KA Sengottaiyan joined actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Thursday in a significant political development months before the Tamil Nadu election. Vijay welcomed the nine-time MLA at the TVK's Chennai headquarters by draping the party shawl over him.

Sengottaiyan met the actor-politician yesterday, setting the stage for today's formal induction.

An influential leader from the Gounder community in western Tamil Nadu – traditionally an AIADMK stronghold – Sengottaiyan is widely recognized as an excellent campaign strategist, having loyally served former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in that capacity for many years.

Renowned for his constituency-level planning and organizational expertise, his recruitment marks TVK's first major political acquisition. He has been assured a share in governance should the party win power.

Vijay expressed warm welcome in a video statement on X, highlighting Sengottaiyan's extensive political journey and the value he brings to TVK. "When he was just 20, he placed his trust in MGR (MG Ramachandran, AIADMK founder) and joined. At a young age, he accepted an MLA's responsibility. In his 50-year journey, he has been the confidante of two significant leaders, MGR and Jayalalithaa. Sengottaiyan's political maturity and field experience will greatly benefit TVK. I welcome brother Sengottaiyan..."

Party sources indicated Sengottaiyan will likely receive a key organizational role, particularly as TVK works to strengthen its grassroots structure ahead of the 2026 election.

Sengottaiyan's entry represents a strategic gain for TVK, which has previously lacked strong second-tier leadership – a weakness exposed following the Karur stampede in which 41 people died, when the party faced criticism for its delayed response to the tragedy.

With decades of experience as an MLA, minister, and strategist, Sengottaiyan could help shape TVK's organizational clarity, policy direction, and electoral strategy.

Political analysts informed NDTV that Sengottaiyan knows constituencies intimately, like the palm of his hand.

His expulsion came after repeatedly urging party leader Edappadi Palaniswami to readmit Sasikala (Jayalalithaa's close aide), O Panneerselvam (EPS's rival and also a former chief minister) and TTV Dhinakaran, arguing the party needed to unite all factions to recover from three consecutive electoral defeats following Jayalalithaa's death.

EPS initially removed him from party posts before expelling him entirely after he met with Sasikala and OPS.

His previous meetings with BJP leaders also sparked online speculation, with some labeling him a 'BJP agent' – a claim he has not addressed.

AIADMK has downplayed his departure, with spokesperson Kovai Sathyan telling NDTV: "No individual is bigger than the party, its symbol, and its ideology. He disowned AIADMK, which gave him recognition. The liability now shifts to TVK."

The party maintains that Sengottaiyan's influence is limited to his constituency and will not impact AIADMK's prospects.

The ruling DMK — which has maintained its formidable alliance through three consecutive election victories — expressed being unperturbed. Spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah told NDTV that Sengottaiyan joining TVK presents a greater concern for AIADMK cadres.

He added that the BJP 'controls the AIADMK,' an allegation BJP sources deny. Sengottaiyan had previously claimed he attempted to unite AIADMK factions 'at the behest of the BJP'.

The NDA has been weakening in Tamil Nadu, with OPS and TTV Dhinakaran already departing from the alliance.